Two local high school students captured legion members’ hearts. 

Strong images of a soldier kneeling in a sea of red poppies with a headline, “Each marks our place” covers a white canvass.

Another depicts three soldiers on a stoop, a Canadian flag, a map of the route marched, a tank and an emotional woman in black and white states lest we forget.

Every year, the Royal Canadian Legion sponsors a poster, essay and literary contest open to all Canadian children.

The goal is to foster the tradition of remembrance amongst the generations.

Initial judging takes place at the community level, in this case at the Aurora Royal Canadian Legion branch.

Winners proceed to the provincial level then to Ottawa where national winners are declared.

If a national winner, the youth is sponsored by the legion to attend the National Remembrance Day Service and place a wreath on behalf of Canadian youth.

Cardinal Carter Catholic High School dominated the senior poster competition, snagging the top three spots in both the colour and black and white divisions.

Nicole Cosentino and Michelle Petricone, both Grade 12 students, placed first.

“They were very thoughtful in their work,” art teacher Andrew Boyd said. “A lot of research went into the work before they began the posters.”

What he admires the most about his two students’ works is the depiction of timelessness. The students were surprised to find the number of adults who have fought over the years when researching.

“The posters really struck a card with the legion members,” he added. “The students were struck by the amount of memorabilia the legion had.”

The students were honoured during an award ceremony held at the legion where they received plaques, ribbons and cash prizes.

“They placed second at the next level,” he explained. “They were only a step away from nationals.”

At the local level, second place went to Caroline Cheng and Aimee Canavan and in third John Gaitan and Aya Ghoneim.